Buffalo Platter from Hooters features spicy buffalo wings, crispy chicken tenders, and crunchy celery sticks, all served with tangy ranch and blue cheese dipping sauces for a bold and satisfying flavor experience.
Equipments
- Deep fryer
- Tongs
- Mixing bowls
- Baking sheet or tray
- Paper towels
- Serving platter
- Sauce cups
- Chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 2 lbs (900g) chicken wings
- 1 lb (450g) chicken tenders
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 cup hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
- 3 celery stalks
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup blue cheese dressing
Using fresh chicken wings and tenders ensures the best texture and flavor for your Buffalo Platter. Buttermilk helps tenderize the chicken while the combination of paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper adds a balanced spicy kick. Choose a quality hot sauce like Frank's RedHot for an authentic buffalo wing taste. Make sure to have enough vegetable oil for deep frying to achieve crispy, golden results. Your Buffalo Platter from Hooters copycat menu will deliver the bold, satisfying flavors fans love when you follow these ingredient tips.
Instructions
- Preheat deep fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Pat chicken wings and tenders dry with paper towels.
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Pour buttermilk into a second mixing bowl.
- Dredge chicken tenders in buttermilk, then coat in seasoned flour mixture.
- Arrange floured tenders and wings on baking sheet/tray.
- Fry chicken wings in batches for 10–12 minutes, turning as needed, until golden and cooked through.
- Fry chicken tenders in batches for 5–7 minutes, until golden and crispy.
- Transfer fried chicken to paper towel-lined tray to drain excess oil.
- In a saucepan, melt unsalted butter over medium heat; whisk in hot sauce until combined to make buffalo sauce.
- Toss fried wings in buffalo sauce using a mixing bowl.
- Wash and cut celery stalks into sticks using chef’s knife and cutting board.
- Arrange buffalo wings, chicken tenders, and celery sticks on serving platter.
- Fill sauce cups with ranch and blue cheese dressings.
- Serve immediately with dipping sauces on the side.
Substitution
The Buffalo Platter from Hooters copycat menu combines spicy buffalo wings, crispy chicken tenders, and fresh celery sticks with classic ranch and blue cheese dipping sauces. You can substitute chicken tenders with boneless chicken thighs for a juicier texture, while using Greek yogurt mixed with herbs serves as a lighter alternative to traditional ranch dressing. If a deep fryer is unavailable, bake the wings and tenders on a baking sheet at 425degF (220degC) until cooked through and crispy. Adjust the cayenne pepper to control the heat level in the buffalo sauce according to your preference. Make sure to pat the chicken dry before frying or baking to achieve the best crispiness.
Tips
Patting your chicken wings and tenders dry before dredging is crucial to achieving a crispy coating as excess moisture prevents proper browning. Use a thermometer to maintain the deep fryer temperature at a consistent 375degF (190degC) for even cooking and safe internal temperatures. After frying, draining the chicken on paper towels prevents sogginess caused by residual oil, ensuring crispiness. When tossing the wings in buffalo sauce, do so in a bowl instead of directly in the pan to coat them evenly without cooling the sauce too quickly.
Nutritions
The Buffalo Platter from Hooters offers a high-protein meal predominantly from 2 lbs of chicken wings and 1 lb of chicken tenders, providing essential amino acids to support muscle repair and growth. Each serving is calorie-dense due to frying in 2 cups of vegetable oil and the inclusion of butter in the buffalo sauce, contributing significant fat content, including saturated fat from the butter and dressings. Celery sticks add fiber and vitamins such as vitamin K and vitamin C, balancing the dish with essential nutrients. Your intake of sodium may be elevated due to the seasoning mix and dipping sauces, so moderation is advised for those monitoring salt consumption.
Storage
Store leftover buffalo wings, chicken tenders, and celery sticks separately in airtight containers to maintain freshness and prevent sogginess. Keep the buffalo sauce refrigerated in a sealed container, reheating gently before tossing your wings again for optimal flavor. Ranch and blue cheese dressings should be stored in their original containers or small airtight jars and used within 3-5 days for best taste and safety.
Variation or Alternatives
You can swap chicken wings for boneless chicken bites for an easier eating option. To add a smoky flavor, try using smoked paprika instead of regular paprika in the seasoning mix. For a healthier alternative, bake the chicken tenders on a baking sheet at 400degF (200degC) for 15-20 minutes instead of frying them. Consider substituting buffalo sauce with a honey BBQ sauce to provide a sweet and tangy twist to your platter.
Allergies
The Buffalo Platter from Hooters may trigger allergies related to chicken, dairy, and wheat due to its chicken wings and tenders, ranch and blue cheese dressings, and flour used in frying. The presence of buttermilk and butter indicates potential lactose intolerance concerns, while the flour contains gluten, posing risks for those with gluten sensitivity. If you have allergies or intolerances to any of these ingredients, exercise caution when enjoying this dish.
Why this recipe?
Buffalo Platter from Hooters excites taste buds with its perfect blend of spicy buffalo wings, crispy fried shrimp, and golden onion rings. The combination of savory flavors and varied textures offers a satisfying, crowd-pleasing experience. You will find it worth trying a copycat recipe because recreating this iconic platter at home allows customization of heat levels and dipping sauces, delivering the same bold flavors without a restaurant visit. Making it yourself ensures freshness and control over ingredients, enhancing both taste and value.